Johnsburg Boy Scouts to honor two Eagle Scouts this year

JOHNSBURG - Boy Scout Troop 36 is thriving in the communities of Johnsburg and has been seeing consistent enrollment numbers over the past few years.

"We are constantly working toward more merit badges," said Paul Sears, leader. "That's usually the main goal of many of the scouts."

The troop started in 2000 after a hiatus that began in the late 1980's. Sears has been the Scoutmaster ever since their new beginning and his wife Tara Sears serves as committee chair. They currently include 10 boys ranging in age from 12-16 as well as three leaders.

"My wife and I simply wanted something for our boys to do," Sears said. "So we decided to explore starting up the troop again."

They have seen an Eagle Scout move through the ranks every year since Sears' son Ryan achieved it in 2007 and have since started a Cub Scout troop to start the boys out early.

This year, both Jonathan Sears, 15, and Liam Harrison, 17, will be earning their Eagle, according to Sears.

"It is really exciting to have to be able to plan two ceremonies this year," he said.

Harrison is building a sign for the Minerva Rescue Squad and Sears is working on building a structure for the Ski Bowl's community garden as eagle projects. Harrison will also soon be traveling to Nicaragua with his church.

"The work on small projects," Sears said. "But they benefit the whole community."

The troop meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the North Creek Fire Department. The Fire Department has been their charter organization since the beginning of the troop.

The boys stay busy in the winter with snow shoeing, camping and recently participating in the Klondike Derby. They built a dog sled, powered by boys scouts.

Volunteering is increasingly important to the Johnsburg troop and they take part in community activities as often as they can.

"If somebody needs something, we are here to help make sure it gets done," Sears said. "They will do anything."